Does domestic violence have to include family members?

State law says that fights among adult roommates — even ones not in a romantic relationship — constitute domestic violence, among other examples.

Here’s the definition from section 10.99.020 of the Revised Code of Washington:

“Family or household members” means spouses, former spouses, persons who have a child in common regardless of whether they have been married or have lived together at any time, adult persons related by blood or marriage, adult persons who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past, persons sixteen years of age or older who are presently residing together or who have resided together in the past and who have or have had a dating relationship, persons sixteen years of age or older with whom a person sixteen years of age or older has or has had a dating relationship, and persons who have a biological or legal parent-child relationship, including stepparents and stepchildren and grandparents and grandchildren.

This is the the definition in section 12A.06.120 of the Seattle Municipal Code:

“Domestic violence” means a crime committed by one (1) family or household member against the person or property of another family or household member.

People facing domestic abuse are encouraged to call the Washington State Domestic Violence hot line at 800-562-6025, or visit the King County Coalition Against Domestic Violence Web site at kccadv.org.

Thanks to the people who submitted questions. Previous answers are linked below.